Book 160: War

War, by Sebastian Junger

“War” is a very hard book for me to summarize.

The author, Sebastian Junger, is a journalist who embedded himself for a year to write about the war in Afghanistan, specifically in the Korengal valley.

“War” is divided into three parts: “Fear,” “Killing,” and “Love.” I read the book from start to finish in one sitting; Junger’s writing immersed me in the brutality of war, of the emotions, of the dangers, of the feelings.

This is a book about what war is really like. I think I was most amazed by the author being in the middle of ambushes, shots flying at the bases, and he was an unarmed viewer.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a real view of the war in Afghanistan.

4/5.

Book 140: Letters from Rifka

Letters from Rifka, by Karen Hesse

I first ordered “Letters from Rifka” from a book magazine when I was a kid, and it’s a book I’ve held onto for about a decade.

Rifka and her family are Jews in a time when Jews are hated by the Russians. Jewish boys are enlisted into the Russian army against their will, forced to do hard menial labor such as digging latrines. Jewish families are terrorized, and are generally afraid for their safety. The only way out is to leave the country, and go to America.

A clever girl, Rifka keeps a record of the journey by writing letters to her cousin in a book of Pushkin’s poetry. Each new letter starts with a quote from a Pushkin poem, and each snippet neatly fits the events described in that letter. I normally don’t care for poetry, but the quotes added an authentic feel to the letters, and really set the mood for me.

The main story follows Rifka and her family as they flee for America, and the family runs into several problems on their journey. First typhus, then ringworm strike, and Rifka is separated from her family for over a year to undergo treatment. Sent to Belgium while the rest of her family goes to America, Rifka experiences a degree of independence she’d never before known. When she finally reaches Ellis Island, Rifka is tested yet again. Will she be able to join her family in America?

“Letters from Rifka” is a good introductory book for children interested in Jewish history, and particularly for girls. Rifka is a very strong character, and her struggles are triumphs are inspiring. The author based the story in part on a relative’s experiences.

4/5.

Book 138: Stones into Schools

Stones into Schools, by Greg Mortenson

I read “Stones into Schools” immediately after finishing “Three Cups of Tea,” and while I enjoyed both books, I definitely liked “Stones into Schools” more.

While “Three Cups of Tea” was more about Mortenson’s life and how he found his life’s work building schools in remote villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan, “Stones into Schools” is bigger than Mortenson, and really shows how his work has taken on a life of its own. “Stones into Schools” is also told from the first person point of view, which I preferred, because I was able to really get into Mortenson’s head and get a personal feel for everything described (“Three Cups of Tea” was written in third person POV).

Okay, enough comparison.

“Stones into Schools” is both a fun, informative, yet very touching book. I went through a lot of emotions while reading, from happiness to sadness, as Mortenson described his team (nicknamed the Dirty Dozen) and the difficulty in setting up a school in one of the most remote areas of the world, the Wakhan corridor. There’s everything in between as well, particularly short accounts of children helped by the schools. The writing flows very well; I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put the book down. I actually finished the book by flashlight, when my power went out for the weekend. At times there are huge amounts of information to digest, but the information really helped me understand the different politics and dynamics of the regions. The struggle to set up a school in the Wakhan is the main thread of the book, but along the way there are many detours.

“Stones into Schools” is both awe-inspiring and inspirational, and I learned an incredible amount about the politics, geography, and people of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and how something as simple as a school can affect the lives of hundreds of people. There is a saying, “When you educate a girl, you educate a community,” and that is what Mortenson and his institute live by.

Something that really hit me is that in “Three Cups of Tea,” bringing education to rural areas was Mortenson’s personal journey, but in “Stones into Schools,” his mission has become larger than him, as new schools are planned, relationships are created, and things happen without him.

4/5.

Book 136: Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

“Three Cups of Tea” is one of those books that, while you’re reading, every little thing that you think is wrong with your life is put into perspective. Mortenson is an American who builds schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the story of how he went from a mountaineer to the head of a non-profit organization is awe-inspiring.

After a failed attempt at climbing K2, the world’s second highest mountain, Mortenson stumbled into a tiny little village, Korphe. The people living in Korphe were poor, but were willing to open their village to a stranger in need. When Mortenson asked to see the school, he was shocked to see the children sitting outside, tracing their lessons into the dirt without a teacher. He promised to return to Korphe and build a school – he had no clue how he would do it, but he would.

Mortenson then returned to California and went into overdrive saving money, working, and writing letters to raise money. After months of frustration, he made some lucky connections and received a big donation that enabled him to return to Pakistan and start on the Korphe school. Mortenson bought building materials and traveled to the remote village, only to learn that he had to conquer yet another setback – a bridge had to be constructed to ferry the school materials. And so the quest to raise more money to fulfill his promise continued.

That is the start of Mortenson’s story, with the building of his very first school in one of Pakistan’s most remote regions. The book is written as if Mortenson was telling his story to another person, and sometimes the flow of events does suffer from that, along with some overly poetic passages. But the reader also gets a very complete picture of Mortenson’s life, what led to him trying to climb K2, and the changes that occurred after he built Korphe’s school. Because he didn’t stop with that one school, but realized his life’s work was to spread education to the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially to girls.

Readers will also learn a lot about the dynamics of the regions, such as the different wars that have been fought, the tribal relations, the difficulty of living. “Three Cups of Tea” is both educational and engrossing.

4/5.

Book 126: The Children of Henry VIII

The Children of Henry VIII, by Alison Weir

“The Children of Henry VIII” is a nonfiction history that reads like a narrative. One interesting, engrossing, detail-filled narrative. The book follows the ascent of Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I, and Elizabeth I to the English throne. Also covered are the men around the throne, such as John Dudley, Thomas Cranmer, Edward Courtenay, Philip II, etc.

The basic story is known by many, especially fans of the Tudor period. Weir’s book is perfect for lovers of historical fiction, because this history is so easily readable, yet also very educational. The author clearly did her research, and includes abundant source material in the text, including quotes from letters and privy purse accounts; and also tells the reader the importance of the historical material. I found myself reading late into the night.

I was a little sad when I finished this book; I greatly liked living in the world Weir recreated, an England awash in political and religious machinations. An uncertain world, to be sure. And while I knew the outcome, who would succeed who, I wasn’t sure of the exact route each monarch took. For example, my view of Edward and Mary changed quite a bit after reading Weir’s book; I used to think Edward was a sickly boy, and Mary heartless, but I learned that wasn’t necessarily true.

Definitely recommended for anyone interested in the Tudor dynasty.

4/5.

Book 113: The King’s Secret Matter

Katharine of Aragon, by Jean Plaidy

“Katharine of Aragon,” by Jean Plaidy, is actually an omnibus of the author’s three previous novels about Henry VIII’s first queen. The books are: “Katharine, the Virgin Widow,” “The Shadow of the Pomegranate,” and “The King’s Secret Matter.” So this volume is a great deal, as you’re really getting three books for the price of one.

Plaidy is an excellent historical fiction writer. I’d seen her recommended several times, and was eager to read something of hers. Katharine happens to be a favorite figure of mine, but Plaidy has written novels on just about anyone you could want to read about in English history.

“Katharine, the Virgin Widow” focuses on the young princess and her first marriage to Henry’s brother, Arthur. The book starts with Katharine’s journey from Spain to England; I would have liked to see Plaidy write some scenes from the princess’s life before England – references are made to her “previous” life quite a bit, and it would have been nice to read some of them, rather than just get a line or two of memories. But otherwise, a great book, that introduces readers the different players in the English monarchy and politics.

“The Shadow of the Pomegranate” continues Katharine’s story after her marriage to Henry VIII, and focuses on her difficulty to conceive an heir.

“The King’s Secret Matter” finishes Katharine’s sad tale, recounting Henry’s efforts to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn. Plaidy captures Katharine’s dignity and fight to remain a queen through all of Henry’s machinations to set her aside.

Plaidy pens an engrossing story of Katharine of Argaon, one that fans of historical Tudor fiction will surely enjoy. I’ll definitely be picking up more of her novels, because I think they are great introductions for periods or people I’m unfamiliar with.

4/5.

Book 111: The Shadow of the Pomegranate

Katharine of Aragon, by Jean Plaidy

“Katharine of Aragon,” by Jean Plaidy, is actually an omnibus of the author’s three previous novels about Henry VIII’s first queen. The books are: “Katharine, the Virgin Widow,” “The Shadow of the Pomegranate,” and “The King’s Secret Matter.” So this volume is a great deal, as you’re really getting three books for the price of one.

Plaidy is an excellent historical fiction writer. I’d seen her recommended several times, and was eager to read something of hers. Katharine happens to be a favorite figure of mine, but Plaidy has written novels on just about anyone you could want to read about in English history.

“Katharine, the Virgin Widow” focuses on the young princess and her first marriage to Henry’s brother, Arthur. The book starts with Katharine’s journey from Spain to England; I would have liked to see Plaidy write some scenes from the princess’s life before England – references are made to her “previous” life quite a bit, and it would have been nice to read some of them, rather than just get a line or two of memories. But otherwise, a great book, that introduces readers the different players in the English monarchy and politics.

“The Shadow of the Pomegranate” continues Katharine’s story after her marriage to Henry VIII, and focuses on her difficulty to conceive an heir.

“The King’s Secret Matter” finishes Katharine’s sad tale, recounting Henry’s efforts to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn. Plaidy captures Katharine’s dignity and fight to remain a queen through all of Henry’s machinations to set her aside.

Plaidy pens an engrossing story of Katharine of Argaon, one that fans of historical Tudor fiction will surely enjoy. I’ll definitely be picking up more of her novels, because I think they are great introductions for periods or people I’m unfamiliar with.

4/5.

Book 110: Katharine, the Virgin Widow

Katharine of Aragon, by Jean Plaidy

“Katharine of Aragon,” by Jean Plaidy, is actually an omnibus of the author’s three previous novels about Henry VIII’s first queen. The books are: “Katharine, the Virgin Widow,” “The Shadow of the Pomegranate,” and “The King’s Secret Matter.” So this volume is a great deal, as you’re really getting three books for the price of one.

Plaidy is an excellent historical fiction writer. I’d seen her recommended several times, and was eager to read something of hers. Katharine happens to be a favorite figure of mine, but Plaidy has written novels on just about anyone you could want to read about in English history.

“Katharine, the Virgin Widow” focuses on the young princess and her first marriage to Henry’s brother, Arthur. The book starts with Katharine’s journey from Spain to England; I would have liked to see Plaidy write some scenes from the princess’s life before England – references are made to her “previous” life quite a bit, and it would have been nice to read some of them, rather than just get a line or two of memories. But otherwise, a great book, that introduces readers the different players in the English monarchy and politics.

“The Shadow of the Pomegranate” continues Katharine’s story after her marriage to Henry VIII, and focuses on her difficulty to conceive an heir.

“The King’s Secret Matter” finishes Katharine’s sad tale, recounting Henry’s efforts to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn. Plaidy captures Katharine’s dignity and fight to remain a queen through all of Henry’s machinations to set her aside.

Plaidy pens an engrossing story of Katharine of Argaon, one that fans of historical Tudor fiction will surely enjoy. I’ll definitely be picking up more of her novels, because I think they are great introductions for periods or people I’m unfamiliar with.

4/5.

Book 108: The Measly Middle Ages

Horrible Histories: The Measly Middle Ages, by Terry Deary

I first read this book when I was about 10 or 11, and it’s held a fond place in my memories ever since.

Deary retells some of the history of the Middle Ages, with plenty of humor and excellent illustrations by Martin Brown. Normally, I skip graphics, but Brown’s images add a lot to the text.

Aimed at kids, the Horrible Histories series, and especially “The Measly Middle Ages” is full of gory details and funny anecdotes. The historical content is “lite” at times, but I credit this book for getting me hooked on history when I was much younger. It’s fun to reread it now and remember those days with nostalgia.

For a tidbit, did you know that to cure bruises in the Middle Ages, one remedy involved a bandage of bacon fat and flour? Only you’d probably get more bruises trying to get the bacon fat!

4/5.

Book 105: Lyddie

Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson

“Lyddie” is a book from my childhood, one that I read so many times the binding was falling apart. I still like to reread it from time to time, simply because I enjoy the story of a girl’s fight to become independent. “Lyddie” also introduced me to the Lowell mills, a period of history I’d known nothing about before and has since become a subject I wish to learn more about.

Lyddie is an inspiring character; in spite of overwhelming odds, she manages to find a measure of independence, happiness, and education. A farm girl used to hard work, she thrives in the mills of Lowell, able to keep up with the frantic pace of mechanized work. The book is alternatively sad and happy, and readers will feel pity, rage, and joy on Lyddie’s behalf.

Besides Lyddie, there are other compelling characters that visit the story briefly. An escaped slave examines the theme of slavery, and a self-possesed mill worker poses the questions of workers rights. I felt that the author did her research well on the various subjects.

While “Lyddie” is, as I said above, a childhood favorite, it’s a book that ages well.

4/5.